Method of wrapping articles



Dec. 5, 1939. w. B. BRoNANDl-:R

METHOD OF WRAPPING ARTICLES Filed Dec. l2, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet l ,will

Dec. 5, 1939. w. B. BRONANDE METHOD OF WRAPPING ARTICLES .4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. l2, 1938 wmv A INVENTOR //e/M fwyande EY yy( ATTORNEY;l

Dec. 5, 1939. w. B. BRONANDER 2182113 METHOD OF WRAPPING ARTICLES Filed Dec. l2, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 l By d ATTORNEYS Dec. 5, 1939. w. B. BRONANDER 2182113 METHOJ OF WRAPPING ARTICLES Filed Deo. l2, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to a method of wrapping articles.

More particularly stated, the invention relates to methods of and machines for wrapping pack- 5 ages in material such as a coated regenerated cellulose film commercially known as moisture proof Cellophane Ordinary adhesives or glues are ineffective and not satisfactory when used with such material since they do not adhere suilciently to the coating.

However, such wrappers can be effectively sealed by moistening the coated surfaces with a. solvent for the coating and holding the folded parts in rm contact under pressure until the solvent has taken effect. One suitable solvent for this -purpose is ethylene glycol mono-methyl ether, which is a iluid having substantially the consistency of water. The Cellophane coating when moistened with the solvent becomes tacky or sticky and the interengaging parts are securely held and sealed. It is essential, however, that the folding parts be maintained clean and smooth and free from the adhesive formed by the application of the solvent to the paper coating.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described, so constructed and arranged that the solvent can be applied continuously throughout the entire length of the wrapper.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described with the solvent applying means so constructed and arranged that the folding or Wrapper engaging parts will be kept clean and smooth by the solvent and will not be gummed up by the coating which has been rendered adhesive by the solvent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of wrapping articles inv Cellophane, so carried out that the folding elements will be kept clean and smooth and will not become sticky or gummed up.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of wrapping articles in Cellophane in which Cellophane solvent is used to keep the folding elements clean and smooth and prevent gumming or sticking of these parts.

Further objects of the invention Will appear from the following specification taken in connection with the drawings which form a part of this application, and in which matic of a machine constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken substantially on line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken substan- 5 tially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the means for completing the folding and sealing of the package;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional elevation showing the moistening means, wrapper feeding means and a portion of the wrapper and article feeding mechanism; I

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation taken at right angles to Fig. 4 and substantially on line 5-5 of Fie'. 4;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional elevation taken substantially on line 6--6 of Fig. 4, showing the wrapper guiding means; Y

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the wrapper after it has been severed from the wrapper strip or sheet;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the wrapper moistened by the mechanism shown in Fig. l5 after it has been partially folded around the article;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the sides of the wrapper folded upwardly against the sides of the article leaving a tubular extension beyond the end of the article;

Fig. l0 is a view similar to Figs. 8 and 9 but showing the wrapped article after the projecting 30 ends of the tubular extension have been tucked or folded inwardly against the ends of the article, the end flaps being shown prior to the final folding operation; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective View showing the 35 wrapped article after it has been completely wrapped.

The invention briefly described consists of a wrapping machine comprising means for feeding an article to be wrapped, means for feeding the wrapper strip across the path of movement of the article and for severing the strip into wrappers, means for moistening the entire lengths of the longitudinal margins or edge portions of the Wrapper strip with a solvent adapted to render the coating on the wrapper adhesive, means for folding the wrapper around the advance end of the article, for folding the sides of the wrapper against the sides of the article leaving a tubular extension projecting beyond the end of the article, and subsequently acting means for tucking the ends of the projecting portion or extension and folding the end flaps against the ends of the article. f

The solvent applied tothe longitudinal portions of the wrapper renders the sides of the wrapper adhesive and as they are folded against the sides of the article they will be effectively secured and sealed, heaters preferably being provided to evaporate the solvent.

Means is also provided for applying solvent to the end tucks and to the outer end flap. This last named means consists of tuckers which are continuously operated in wiping `contact with solvent conducting means and which transfer the solvent to the end tucks and to the outer end flap.

The solvent applying means for applying the solvent to the longitudinal marginal portions of the wrapper operate to continuously apply this solvent to the longitudinal marginal portions of the wrapper.

The invention, further described, consists of a method of wrapping articles in, wrappers having a surface adapted to be rendered adhesive by the application of a solvent, comprising the following steps: 'I'he solvent is rst applied' to the marginal longitudinal portions of the wrapper throughout the entire length of the wrapper and the wrapper is then folded around the bottom,

end and top of the article and the marginal p0rtions are *folded against the sides of the article by engaging the surfaces having solvent thereon, thereby maintaining the folding means clean and preventing gumming during the folding operation.

Further details of the invention will appear from the following description.l

In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, there are three sets of operating mechanisms which engage and operate successively on the article and wrapper. Furthermore, there are three supports or tables along which-the article and wrapper are fed. The first supporting table is shown at A, the second at B and the third at C. From the showing in Fig. 1 it will be noted that the support C is disposed at right angles to the supports A and B.

The articles X are fed from a hopper H along the support A by a plurality of successively acting transverse spaced feeding members or cross rods 36 carried by a pair of endless feeding members or chains 31 and 38.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the rods or feeding members 36 engage the rear edges of articles X and feed the articles through an opening 35 in the hopper H and along the support A.

The chains or endless feeding members 31 and 38 are supported at one end on sprockets 39 carried by a shaft 48 mounted in the frame 4|. At their other ends the chains are mounted on sprockets 42 and 43 carried by a shaft 44 which is also mounted in the frame 4|. The shaft 44 has secured thereto a gear 45 which meshes with a gear 46 mounted on a shaft 41 on the outer end of which is mounted a sprocket 48 driven by a chain v 49 which is connected to a motor drive shaft or any other suitable source of power.

i Paper feeding and moistening mechanism ed in brackets 58 secured to the frameof the machine. The strip of paper is led from the supply roll over a roll 55 which carries the solvent,

guide members 58 are curved at their upper ends and extend over the upper periphery of the roller carried by and extend upwardly from a plate 68 5 mounted on a supporting base or plate 6|. The members 58 are also mounted on and supported by the roller 56 and, as stated, are disposed in spaced relation to the members 59. It will be noted from Fig. 6 that the strip as it passes downwardly is longitudinally grooved which prevents any transverse wrinkles and maintains a continuous uninterrupted feed of the strip.

The feed rolls 56 and 51 are geared together, as shownv at 65 and 66, the gear 66 being mounted on a shaft 61. The shaft 61 is driven in the following manner: GearY 66 meshes with an idler gear 68 mounted on a spindle 69 and the gear 68 meshes with a gear 18 mounted on a shaft 1|. This shaft has also secured thereto a sprocket wheel 12 which is driven by a chain 13 from a sprocket 14 mounted on the shaft 41.

The shaft 1| has mounted thereon a rotary cutting knife 15 which coacts with a stationary blade or knife 16 and severs the strip at predetermined intervals to form the wrappers.

Before beingl severed the strip is fed downwardly through an opening or slot 11 formed in the table or support A and the downwardly extending portion is engaged by the article X which is being fed along the table by one of the transverse feeding members or rods 36. As the article enga'ges the downwardly extending wrapper strip the wrapper will be folded around the advance end of the article and over the upper and lower surfaces thereof in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4. After the strip has been so folded it is severed and the rear end of the wrapper projects rearwardly from the rear edge of the article.

The feed rolls, cutting mechanism and paper guiding means and also the moistening means hereinafter described are all mountedand carried by vertically extending frame members 16 and 19.

The moistening means will now be described. The liquid solvent for the Cellophane coating is carried by a receptacle R which is closed at the top and is mounted, in inverted position, in a vertically extending support 88 in the form of a conduit having a flange 8| at the upper end thereof and communicating atits lower end with a transverse conduit 82, these parts being formed in and carried by a block 83. The block 83 is provided with vertically extending bores 98 which extend upwardly from the conduit 82. The block is also provided with downwardly extending threaded bores 9| disposed in alinement-with the bores 98 and into which are threaded sleeves 92 which are internally threaded to receive screws 93 having knurled heads 94 on the lower ends thereof. The upper end of the screws 93 have formed thereon upwardly projecting pins 95 which engage the lower ends' of wicks 96. By adjusting the 1screws 93 the wicks can be raised to the desired evel.

It will be noted that the bores 98 and wicks 96 are disposed in position to engage the marginal or end portions 91 of the roll v55.-

In order to remove and permit the return of excess solvent liquid the block has formed therein in front of and in the rear of each bore 98 a groove 98 and a return conduit 99. 'Ihe bores 98 at their lower ends communicate withl the conduit 82. 'Ihe receptacle R has secured to the lower" end thereof a cap |8| having extending downwardly therefrom a conduit |82 which ex- 75 tends into a central bore formed in the support and communicating with the conduit 82.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the vertically extending support 80 for the receptacle R is provided near the lower end thereof with apertures through which air can enter. The lower end of conduit |02 which is disposed within the support 30 is beveled. When the liquid in bores is lowered to a predetermined extent the level in the bore formed in the support 80 is lowered suciently to expose the openings or apertures above described, and air enters the conduit |02 and passes upwardly into the receptacle R, permitting the release of liquid therein. The vacuum above the liquid in the receptacle .normally prevents the release of the liquid therein.

Fig. 7 illustrated the undersurface of a blank cut from the strip of wrapping material and from this figure it will be noted that the margins of the strip are moistened, as shown at, |05 and |06. It will also be noted that the end |01 of the strip is convex or V-shaped and the end |08 is concave.

After the wrapper and article are fed past the slot 11 .they pass between a top plate H0 and the support A of the wrapper and the wrapper is fed across the upper and lower surfaces of the article. From the support A the article and wrapper pass to the support B. At the entrance of the support B along the two sides thereof are formed tuckers which engage the two later ally projecting advance ends of the Wrappers and form tucks ||2 therein. Side plates are disposed at the sides of the support B and 'have yformed therein slots 3, H4 and ||5 which operate in the usual manner to fold the laterally projecting upper and lower portions of the wrapper against thesides of the article. The upper projecting portions are first folded downwardly by the slots the lower projecting ends being guided during this period of the operation through the slots I3. These portions are then folded upwardly bymeans of the slots ||5. This folding mechanism is old and common and therefore has not been shown in detail.

Fig. 8 shows the article and rapper at the stage in which the folding slots |h have operated to fold the upper ends of the wrapper downwardly and inwardly gainst the sides of the article. The article and wrapper shown in Fig. 8 represent the period in the cycle of operation at the point Y in Fig. 2. The moistenedmarginal portions of the wrapper, as shown in Fig. 8, are disposed along the outer lower edge of the downwardly folded portion ||6 of the wrapper and the moistened marginal portion of the bottom ||1 of the wrapper is disposed on the bottom surface thereof, shown in dotted lines at IB.

Fig. 9 illustrates the article and wrapper in the form assumed after the lower projecting portions have been folded upwardly by the slots H5. The article and wrapper have reached the stage shown in Fig. 9 at the point Z in Fig. 2 or when they are about to be discharged from the support B and fed to the support C.

The article and wrapper are fed along the support B and through the folding mechanism described by means of a plurality of spaced lugs |20 carried by a chain or endless feeding member |2| mounted on sprockets |22 and |23. The sprocket |22 is carried by the shaft 41 and is driven thereby. 1

From the showing particularly in Fig. 2, it will be noted that the feeding lugs |20 engage the ar.- ticle and wrapper as the feeding members or rods 36 move out of operation. From the support B the articles and wrappers in the shape shown in Fig. 9 are fed to the support C, the open ends of the wrapper extending rearwardly, as shown at |25 and |26 in Fig. 2. 'I'he wrapped articles are fed along the support C by means of spaced lugs or feeding members |30 carried by an4 endless belt or chain |3| which extends around and is supported on sprockets |32and |33 and |34 carried respectively by shafts |35-, |36 and |31. The shaftsare mounted on a frame |38. The shaft |35 is driven by a bevel gear connection |40 and IM from the shaft 44, the gear |4| being mounted on the shaft M.

It has been found that the operation of the endless feeding member |3| and lugs |30 at high speed, causing the lugs to engage against the sides of the article, tends to dent in the article and damage the package and for this reason the lugs |30 do not engage and feed the article and wrapper immediately after ithas been deposited on the support 3|. They are, however, fed by a reciprocating feeding mechanism illustrated particularly in Fig. 3. In this figure there is shown an arm |50 having an angular head on the front end thereof consisting of an upper plate |5| adapted to engage over the top of the article and a rear plate |52 adapted to engage along the rear side of the article. The arm |50 is reciprocated back and forth on the support C and is so timed as to engage and feed the articles after they have been deposited on the support by the feeding members or lugs |20. At its rear end the arm 50 is pivoted at |53 to the upper end of a lever |50 which -is mounted on a fixed pivot |55 and is provided intermediate its ends with a roller |56 disposed in engagement with a cam |51 mounted on the shaft |35. A spring |55 engages the upper surface of the arm |50 and holds the front end of the arm or head in engagement with the table or support C.

From the showing in Fig. 3 it will be seen that as the shaft |35 and cam |51 rotate the lever |55 will be oscillated about its pivot |55 and will reciprocate th;` arm |50 and the feeding head formed on the front end thereof. A suitable spring, as shown, is provided to press the arm |55 to the left viewing Fig. 3 in order to maintain the roller |56 in engagement with the cam |51. The cam |51 is so designed that the initial movement of the article and wrapper along the support C will be relatively slow, but this movement becomes more rapid as the article is fed and at the limit of the feeding movement |50 the article and wrapper are moving at approximately the speed of movement of the lugs |30.

The support C is provided along one edge thereof with a wall |60 which engages the closed end of the package and is provided along the other edge thereof with a wall |6| having a stationary tucker |62 at the entrance end thereof and having slots |63, |64 and |65 which operate in a manner similar to the slots ||3, Il! and H5 shown in Fig. 2, to fold the projecting ends of the wrapper across the end of the article.

As above stated, the tucker |62 forms a tuck in one edge of the tubular extension or projecting portion of the wrapper and the tuck in the other end is formed by a rotary tucker |66, a plurality of these rotary tuckers being carried by a disk |61 mounted on the shaft |36.

The tuckers |62 and |66 are so relatively constructed and arranged that the tuckers |66 can pass inside the tuckers |62 in the manner shown in Fig. l.

In order to supply solvent or moistening liquid to the lower end flap |68 shown in Fig. 10, and to insure the moistening of the end tucks, a moistening wick |10 is mounted on the support |38 in aconduit |1| which communicates with a receptacle |12. The outlet end of the wick shown at |13 is so disposed as to engage and wipe one surface of the rotary tucker |66 before the tucker performs its tucking operation. The solvent is therefore carried upwardly on the tucker |66 and deposited on the end flap |68 and to ay lesser extent on the end tucks.

The tuckers |66 also perform an added function in insuring the proper alinement o-f the upper end flaps |15. These flaps, due to their engagement by the lugs |20, are bent downwardly to a slight extent and the rotation of the tuckers |66 bends them upwardly again so that they will enter the folding slots in the proper relation thereto.

In order to insure the proper sealing of the packages and the evaporatio-n of the solvent material after the contacting surfaces have been sealed, heaters are provided at suitable positions, as at |16 and |11, at the discharge end of the support B and at |18 atA the discharge end of the support C.

From the foregoing specification it will be seen that simple, practical and effective means have been provided for wrapping articles in material having a surface adapted to be rendered adhesive by the application of a solvent. By means of this machine the solvent is applied easily and quickly to the longitudinal portions of the strip before it is severed and wrapped around the article and in order to insure the final sealing of the wrapper solvent is applied to the outer end flap.

Furthermore, the article and wrapper feeding means have been so constructed and arranged as to render the machine capable of operation at high speeds and to prevent any tendency of the feeding means to dent or injure the packages being wrapped.

Moreover, the method of applying solvent to the wrapper and folding the wrapper effectively insures clean folding elements and surfaces and prevents glnnming of the parts.

'I'his application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 76,158, filed April 24, 1936.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood that the invention is capable of modification and that changes in the construction and in the arrangement o-f the various cooperating parts may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, as expressed in the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. A method of wrapping articles in wrappers having a surface adapted to be rendered adhesive by the application of a solvent, which consists of applying a solvent to the marginal longitudinal portions of the Wrapper throughout the entire length of the'wrapper, folding the wrapper around the article, folding the marginal portions against the sides of the article by folding means engaging the surfaces having solvent thereon, the solvent preventing gumming of the folding means during the folding operation, and

tucking and closing the ends of the Wrapper.

surfaces having solvent thereon, leaving solvent y on the outer surfaces of the sides uf the Wrapper, the solvent preventing gumming of the folding means during the folding operation, and tucking and closing the ends of the wrapper.

3. A method of wrapping articles in wrappers having a surface adapted to be rendered adhesive by the application of a solvent, which consists of applying a solvent to the under marginal longitudinal portions of the wrapper throughout the entire length of the Wrapper, folding the wrapper around the bottom, end and top of the article, folding the marginal portions against the sides of the article by folding means engaging the surfaces having solvent thereon, the solvent preventing gumming of the folding means during the folding operation, and tucking and closing the ends of the wrapper.

4. A method of wrapping articles in wrappers having a surface adapted to be rendered adhesive by the application of a solvent, which consists of applying a solvent to the under marginal longitudinal portions of the wrapper throughout the entire length of the wrapper, folding the wrapper around the bottom, end and top of the article. folding the marginal portions upwardly and downwardly against the side of the article by folding means engaging the surfaces having solvent-thereon, leaving solvent on the outer surfaces of the sides of the wrapper, the solvent preventing gumming of the folding means during the folding operation, and tucking and closing the ends of the wrapper.

5. A method of wrapping articles in wrappers having a surface adapted to be rendered adhesive vby the application of a solvent, which c'onsists of applying a solvent to the under marginal longitudinal portions of the wrapper throughout the entire length of the wrapper, folding the wrapper around the bottom, end and top of the article, folding the marginal portions against the sides of the article by folding means engaging the surfaces having solvent thereon, the solvent preventing gumming of the folding means during the folding operation, tucking and closing the ends of the wrapper and evaporating the excess solvent.

WILHELM B. BRONANDER. 

